8 Irish MEPs attend launch of Zero Poverty Campaign in Brussels

8 Irish MEPs attended the launch of Caritas Europa's 'Zero Poverty Campaign' in the European Parliament. This campaign is being conducted in all 27 EU countries to coincide withthe European Year Against Poverty and Social Exclusion. Social Justice Ireland is part of this network in its activities around poverty, inequality, social exclusion and sustainability.  The launch was attended by Sean Healy, Director of Social Justice Ireland.

The photograph shows, from left, Joe Higgins (Soc), Pat The Cope Gallagher (FF), Sean Healy (Social Justice Ireland), Nessa Childers (Lab.). Liam Aylward (FF) and Gay Mitchell (FG).  Other MEPs who attended but are not in the photograph were: Marian Harkin (Ind.), Alan Kelly (Lab.) and Mairead McGuinness (FG).

Further information on the Zero Poverty Campaign is available here.

The zero poverty website can be accessed here

Caritas Europea's website can be accessed here

European Anti-Poverty Year launched - mixed reception

 On January 21, 2010 the European Year Against Poverty and Social Exclusion was officially launched in Madrid under the Spanish presidency of the EU. One of the most noteworthy outcomes from the opening conference, was a joint call from the Belgian and French secretaries of state for quantified EU targets to reduce poverty by 2020 (and to make them as binding as the Stability and Growth Pact). This was one of the initiatives that Social Justice Ireland called for in its Submission to the European Commission on their consultation document on the EU Strategy for 2020.

Both Spanish Prime Minister Zapatero and Commission President Barroso were present at the opening conference. One of the more depressing moments of the conference was in Commission President Barroso’s presentation.
 
On the positive side he underlined the focus on social cohesion objectives in the Treaty of Lisbon and highlighted the Charter of Fundamental Rights, the social transversal clause, Article 11, and the concept of the social market economy. 
 
On the negative side he continuted to insist that employment will solve poverty. While increased employment is to be welcomed and would contribute to reducing poverty it is far past the time for the European Commission, and the EU generally, to realise that it has failed to go anywhere close to full employment in the half century since its establishment in 1957 and it will not be achieved any time soon. Consequently, more is required if poverty is to be reduced dramatically.
Social Justice Ireland believes that the EU should have a target of achieving zero poverty by 2020.
 
Zapatero's speech offered a different take (and took a lot from his presentation the day before in the European Parliament in Strasbourg). He spoke, among other things, on the strength of the European social model, the economic crisis, the situation of "dependent" people (and the recent Spanish legislation to address it) and the progress made in his country to integrate the Gitanos people and people with disabilities.
 
His most significant comment however was his call for a European Social Pact to be negotiated at the European level with social partners and for social cohesion objectives to be at the heart of the EU 2020 strategy.. He failed, in this context, to make any mention of civil society which is unfortunate as no social pact can be delivered in Europe without the active involvement of civil society generally and the community and voluntary sector in particular. This sector delivers a very large component of the effective response to poverty and social exclusion. Without its involvement such a strategy will not go beyond rhetoric..
 

Poverty is a scandal - Zero Poverty Campaign launched

Sharing a platform with Elisabeth Schroedter MEP, Vice-Chairwoman of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, and with presentations by Erny Gillen (President of Caritas Europa) and Paolo Pezzana/Patrizia Cappelletti (representing Caritas Italy), Caritas Europa presented its vision of Zero Poverty - a vision of a different world, in which nobody is forced to live on the streets or dies prematurely because he/she cannot afford healthcare.  

• End child poverty by guaranteeing allowances for every child in Europe, regardless of the status of their parents;
• Secure a minimum standard of social security for all;
• Guarantee universal healthcare and strengthen the welfare state;
• Take active steps to ensure decent jobs with decent wages.

Zero Poverty - Sign the Petition

A petition advocating Zero Poverty in the EU has been developed by Caritas Europa. It is hoped to collect one million signatures in support of this petition across the EU’s 27 member countries. It is being promoted in Ireland by Social Justice Ireland which is a part of the Caritas Europa programme seeking to address poverty and related issues in the EU. One million signatures would send a very strong message to the European Union and all its member countries.

The petition is advocating four key goals:

• Eradicate child poverty in Europe
• Ensure a minimum  level of social protectin for everyone
• Increase the provision of social and healthcare services
• Ensure decent jobs for all.

The full text of the petition can be accessed here.

A signature form can be downloaded here.

The more people you get to sign this petition, the better. You can download as many copies as you wish.

When completed it should be returned to Social Justice Ireland, Arena House, Arena Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18.

Related items

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Government and EU challenged to adopt 'zero poverty' as target for 2020

8 Irish MEPs attend launch of Zero Poverty Campaign in Brussels

Poverty is a scandal - Zero Poverty Campaign launched

European Anti-Poverty Year launched - mixed reception

European Commission's consultation document on Strategy 2020 - full text

The full text of the European Commission's consultation document on the Future EU 2020 Strategy is available here.

Social Justice Ireland's Submission to the European Commission on the EU Future Strategy 2020 consultation - full text

The full text of Social Justice Ireland's submission to the European Commission on the EU Future Strategy 2020 consultation is available here
 
 

Anger at European Commission's misrepresentation of views on its draft strategy for 2020

Social and environmental organisations have reacted angrily to claims by the European Commission that they "broadly support" draft plans for the EU's Strategy 2020. The European Commission has published a first overview of the public consultation on the EU 2020 Strategy, together with an evaluation of the Lisbon strategy. This overview misrepresents the views of major networks of organisations working with those who are poor and excluded across the EU. In turn this misrepresentation calls into question the commitment of the Commission to develop an acceptable strategy for 2020; it also call into questions the willingness of those involved to give serious consideration to views other than their own.

The overview stated that stakeholders specialising in social issues used the consultation process to repeat their criticism that the draft strategy is "too narrow" in scope. This is true. (The negative response by stakeholders was based on their conviction that a strategy for 2020 that does not address social, economic and environmental issues in an integrated manner is a deeply flawed strategy.) However, the report went on to claim that these groups broadly supported its proposed priorities. This is untrue. The response of the European Social Platform can be accessed here. A further sample of the anger among stakeholders can be accessed here.
Put simply, the Commission's overview paper stated that Non-Governmental sector "broadly supports" the Commission's proposals, when the opposite is true: many social actors find the social dimension of EU 2020 to be virtually absent. In response, several of these networks (Caritas Europa, EAPN, COFACE, AGE and Mental Health Europe) reacted publicly to express their dismay at seeing their views distorted. Social Justice Ireland's response to the Commission's consultation can be accessed here.
The misrepresentation in the Commission's publication is a matter of concern for two reasons:
1.The overview of the public consultation will be given as a background document to heads of state and government for next week's European Council. In no way can civil society accept that the illusion of consensus is created when, in the current climate of belt-tightening, the divisions are probably wider than ever.
2.Public consultations should be treated with the greatest respect, as they are a unique opportunity for EU institutions to connect with citizens, their organisations and society at large. A rushed consultation, followed in less than three weeks' time by a "rosy" overview document, is not a demonstration of good governance especially when you consider what's at stake i.e. a decision on the EU priorities for the next decade.
This raises very serious questions concerning the democratic deficit in the EU.

Are Europe's leaders giving up on Europe's poor?

France and Germany among others are claiming the EU does not have the legal right to set poverty targets. Their position contradicts the recently-adopted Lisbon Treaty which explicitly allows the EU to support member states' efforts on social exclusion.

• On the one hand many people at risk of poverty are NOT in the labour force and, consequently, will not benefit from job creation;
• On the other hand many people at risk of poverty already have jobs. In Ireland, for example, more than 30% of all households at risk of poverty are headed by a person with a job.

EU 2020 Strategy - Full Text

 
The full text of the EU 2020 Strategy considered at March European Council meeting is accessible here. Note it does not include the final version of some of the targets which were agreed at the June Council meeting.
 

EU 2020 Strategy begins to take shape - huge problems remain

Following the EU Summit it is hard do work out what was decided or what the response of the Heads of Government will be to the huge response of the Social and Environmental organisations who challenged the European Commiossion's claim that they broadly supported the Commission's proposals for Strategy 2020. Drawing on the media responses of participants in the Summit the Social Platform draws a number of likely outcomes for the Strategy Document.

 On content:

• The EU 2020 Strategy will be called the EU 2020 'sustainable growth and jobs strategy'
• There is unanimity (or consensus) on three key objectives:

1. Growth based on knowledge and innovation
2. Inclusive high employment society
3. Greener growth

• There is unanimity on the EU 2020's goal of "a new economic model: a sustainable, inclusive, competitive social market economy"

On Governance:

• There are fewer objectives than in the original Lisbon strategy. These will be quantified and differentiated according to each member state's situation
• The ownership of the strategy will be taken by the European Council, with more regular meetings
• There will be one big Economic European Council (in the spring?) dedicated to the Stability Pact, the economic strategy and the climate change agenda

On Process and Timeline:

• Packages of proposals are due to be released on March 3 by the Commission
• Deliberations on the objectives of the strategy will take place during the Spring Summit
• A decision on the whole package is due in June

Related material:

• European Commission's consultation document on Strategy 2020 - full text available here
• Social Justice Ireland's submission to the European Commission on the EU future strategy 2020 consultation - full text available here
• European Commission's Strategy for the EU until 2020 is deeply flawed
• Anger at European Commission's misrepresentation of views on its draft strategy for 2020

EU heads of government produce lop-sided strategy and fudge poverty target

The European heads of government have produced a strategy for the next ten years that is underwhelming to say the least. The development model on which it is built is lop-sided. The target it has set on poverty and social exclusion is a deliberate fudge and will have little or no impact.

European Commission's strategy for the EU until 2020 is deeply flawed

 
The European Commission's strategy for the EU until 2020 is deeply flawed and would not be acceptable under any circumstances as a meaningful basis on which to proceed to articulate a vision to guide the EU in the coming decade.

In a submission to the Commission, Social Justice Ireland has argued that: “the vision outlined in the Commission’s working document only contains very superficial ‘social’ content.”  It sees the EU as a social market economy. However smarter and greener such an economy may be, focusing on the economy alone leads to a fundamental failure to appreciate that economic and social development are two sides of the one coin. Economic development must be accompanied by social development and environmental protection if we are to have a genuinely inclusive, viable and sustainable future for the European Union.
The full text of Social Justice Ireland’s submission to the European Commission is aailable here. 
The meaning of human development and wellbeing is being narrowed down by the European Commission to refer only to a narrow employment-oriented and consumer-based approach. Social Justice Ireland points to the wide-ranging evidence that, while having a job is a good protection against poverty and social exclusion, employment alone is insufficient to guarantee social inclusion. Active employment policies are very important but can constitute only one element of an overarching ‘sustainable development’ strategy for 2020. One in every three households at risk of poverty in Ireland is headed by a person with a job. Furthermore, the European Commission itself has concluded in the past that employment cannot represent the solution for all cases of poverty and social exclusion.
 
In its submission to the European Commission Social Justice Ireland proposes that the fundamental principles underpinning the EU Strategy for the next decade should include:
 
1) An ever more serious commitment to making the EU a genuinely inclusive and cohesive society: a social Union, taking responsibility for the people living in its territory, is ever more important and must become a priority objective;
 
2) A new emphasis on shared responsibility: rather than insisting on individual responsibility only, the EU should ensure that it’s Institutions, the Member States, local governments and all their agencies promote solidarity and recognise that these all have co-responsibility in delivering on an inclusive and cohesive European Union.

 
Social Justice Ireland is the Irish organisation working with Caritas Europa on issues of poverty, inequality, social exclusion and sustainability. Caritas Europa is a network covering all 27 countries in the EU as well as other countries in Eastern Europe and is supported by the European Commission.
 
The year 2010 has been designated by the EU as the European Year Against Poverty and Social Exclusion. The ‘Year’ was officially launched in Madrid January 21st. Social Justice Ireland’s comment on the launch can be accessed here. 
 
 

Ignoring poverty could lead to serious problems according to EU Commissioner.

POVERTY is something we cannot afford, according to the European Commissioner for employment, social affairs and inclusion. In a report in the Irish Examiner Ann Cahill points out that the usual arguments for reducing poverty are social ones, but the Commissioner, Laszlo Andor, is an economist who has worked for organisations from trade unions to the World Bank and uses a different context. The Commissioner points out that a problem in one EU country can have serious affects for another. He warns of social instability and says that like problems in the world of finance, social problems can spread across borders too. Social Justice Ireland welcomes this confirmation of its basic position by a European Commissioner.  It is not acceptable that the Heads of Government of EU countries failed to set a poverty target during their Council meeting on March 25/6, 2010.
Social Justice Ireland's response to the Council's conclusions can be accessed here.
The full Irish Examiner article can be read here.
 

Social Justice Ireland challenges Government during presentation to Oireachtas Committee

In a presentation to the Oireachtas Committee today, March 25, 2010, Social Justice Ireland has called on the Taoiseach and the Irish Government to ensure that the European Council adopts a target of reducing poverty by 25% in the EU by 2020 and adopts social cohesion and social inclusion as explicit objectives of the European Strategy for 2020. The Council is set to meet today and tomorrow, March 25 and 26, 2010.

Social Justice Ireland has written to the Taoiseach urging him to ensure this European Spring Council meeting agrees to:
• Set social cohesion and social inclusion as explicit objectives of the Europe 2020 agenda;
• Commit to reduce poverty by 25% by 2020 as an interim target towards eradication of poverty and use the relative poverty measure (60% median income) as indicator;
• Guarantee the sustainability of social protection systems and universal access to services of general interest;
• Strengthen the Social Open Method of Coordination to make it effectively deliver on social cohesion and inclusion objectives
• Focus the employment strategy on decent jobs according to an active inclusion approach.
• Ensure the "20/20/20" climate/energy targets will be met.
Including these commitments in the final Europe 2020 Strategy is essential for a number of reasons including:
• The need for the EU to be seen to address seriously the situation of large numbers of people in the EU who are currently suffering real hardship;
• The need to ensure the legitimacy of the European project among EU citizens.
 

Background
• The European Commission's original consultation document on Strategy 2020 was deeply flawed.
• Social Justice Ireland made a detailed submission to the European Commission, which made 15 practical proposals.
• The European Commission's first overview of the responses received to their consultation document was strongly attacked by social and environmental organisations because it was misleading.
• The second summary provided by the Commission was more accurate.
 

Current situation
In preparation for the Council meeting starting this evening the European Commission has produced a second draft of the 'Europe 2020' strategy.
Among other things this draft proposes 5 key targets for the EU to be achieved by 2020:
• 75% of people between 20 and 64 should be employed
• 3% of EU's GDP should be invested in R&D
• "20/20/20" climate/energy targets should be met (i.e. reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20% compared to 1990 levels, increase the share of renewable energy in our final energy consumption by 20% and achieve a 20% increase in energy efficiency).
• Share of early school leavers should be under 10% and at least 40% of younger generation have a tertiary degree.
• 20 million less people should be at risk of poverty.
This is the first time that a concrete target to reduce poverty has been included in a draft strategy document. According to information available to Social Justice Ireland, Germany, Denmark, Czech Republic, Sweden, Netherlands and Italy are against having either the principle of a poverty target or the specific relative poverty target included in the Strategy.
Recommendation
Social Justice Ireland strongly urges the Irish government to ensure the poverty targets are contained in the final strategy adopted. We also urge Government to ensure that the 'risk of poverty' measure is used in setting these targets as that would go some way towards addressing the inequality that has been growing in the EU.
We continue to work with our colleagues in the Caritas Europa Network in all 27 EU-member countries to ensure that these targets are adopted and that the European Council agrees that social cohesion and social inclusion are adopted as explicit objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy.
Specifically we urge that the EU Strategy 2020:
• Set social cohesion and social inclusion as explicit objectives of the Europe 2020 agenda;
• Commit to reduce poverty by 25% by 2020 as an interim target towards eradication of poverty and use the relative poverty measure (60% median income) as indicator;
• Guarantee the sustainability of social protection systems and universal access to services of general interest;
• Strengthen the Social Open Method of Coordination to make it effectively deliver on social cohesion and inclusion objectives
• Focus the employment strategy on decent jobs according to an active inclusion approach.
• Ensure the "20/20/20" climate/energy targets will be met.
Zero-Poverty
In the longer term it is important that the EU set itself a target of Zero Poverty. This target could and should be attained.
Caritas Europa is currently running a campaign which is seeking 1,000,000 signatures throughout the EU to a petition to be submitted to the European Parliament later this year. The campaign is called the Zero Poverty Campaign and seeks to have the EU adopt a target of zero poverty as its ultimate target in this area. We in Social Justice Ireland are leading this campaign in Ireland and see the petition as a fitting way of marking the European Year Against Poverty and Social Exclusion (2010).
 

Links to docuiments

The European Commission's original consultation document on Strategy 2020 was deeply flawed.

Social Justice Ireland's submission to the European Commission, addressed these flaws and presented 15 practical proposals. This submission can be accessed here.

The European Commission's first overview of the responses received to their consultation document was strongly attacked by social and environmental organisations because it was misleading.

The second summary provided by the Commission was more accurate.

In preparation for this Council meeting the European Commission has produced a second draft of the 'Europe 2020' strategy.

EU to emphasise the need for solidarity and social protection in addressing economic crisis

The European Commission has proposed that solidarity and social protection should be built on so as to smooth the impact of the economic crisis and to help recovery.  In its proposals for the Report on Social Protection and Social Inclusion 2009 to be agreed by the Council of Minister dealing with employment, social policy, health and consumer protection (known as EPSCO) the Commission has identified ten key messages to be accepted by governments across the EU. 

Other issues addressed in the Commission’s proposals are unemployment, active inclusion strategies, child poverty, homelessness, disability, pension adequacy, health and long-term care.   CORI Justice welcomes the thrust of these proposals as they highlight the importance of protecting the most vulnerable at a time of major economic difficulty.  They also go some way towards recognising that economic development and social development are interdependent and must be addressed simultaneously if development is to be sustainable in the long term.
These proposals are now being considered by these governments and will be finally voted on at the Council meeting scheduled for March 9-10 2009. 

The Commission’s ‘Proposal for the Joint Report on Social Protection and Social Inclusion 2009’ includes the following key messages:

• The EU can build on solidarity and social protection to smooth the impact of the economic crisis and to help recovery.
• The Structural Funds, in particular the ESF, should be used in order to help people affected by unemployment as a result of the economic downturn.
• Active inclusion strategies are needed in order to ensure an inclusive labour market, access to quality services and adequate income. Vital elements are supporting job retention, promoting quality jobs and ensuring services able to give a personalized response. Adequate income should be given more attention in its own right.
• Tackling child poverty and breaking the intergenerational transmission of poverty are key objectives.
• Focus on the most vulnerable needs to be sustained, especially those affected by homelessness, on the Roma and on disabled people.
• The impact of pension reforms on the pension adequacy for low wage earners and those with atypical careers, among which women are overrepresented, have to be monitored.
• The impact of the economic crisis on pensioners and those retiring now should be limited although some schemes will face difficulties. Weak points have to be addressed and preventative measures taken in order to provide for adequacy and sustainability of pension schemes in the future.
• Making high quality healthcare accessible for all, reducing health inequalities giving increased attention to primary care, prevention and promotion are measures that need to be better implemented.
• Forthcoming staff shortages in health and long-term care, including the support of informal long-term carers, need to be addressed by Member States.
• With view to sustaining strong political commitment to the Lisbon objectives, the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) should be further strengthened, including evidence-based target-setting and increased stakeholder involvement.

The Joint Report on Social Protection and Social Inclusion is foreseen to be adopted by the EPSCO Council (Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Protection in spring 2009 (meeting scheduled for 9-10 March 2009).

Online debate on the economic and social future of Europe

Everyone is invited to take part in an online consultation on the economic and social future of Europe. The 2009 European Citizens’ Consultation, a pan-European debate among citizens from every EU Member State was launched in Brussels on Wednesday 3rd December 2008 with websites in all 27 Member States going live on Thursday 4th December. 

Eurobarometer opinion polls show that rising inflation and unemployment are now the public’s main concerns. But what role can the EU play in addressing these and other concerns about our economic and social future?  Does the EU take a balanced approach to economic, social and environmental development? What should the EU do to ensure that every person in the Union has the resources to live life with dignity?  These are just some of the questions that you can address in this consultation. The website dedicated to the debate in Ireland is

www.european-citizens-consultations.eu

/ie or

www.comhairliuchan-eorpach-do-shaoranaigh.eu

The National Forum on Europe is the Irish partner in this programme. Everyone can join the online debate which is focussing on what the EU can do to shape our economic and social future in a globalised world.

People can post their comments and make recommendations for action, which will then be discussed at a series of national consultations – the Irish one will take place in March 2009 in Dublin - and at a European Citizens’ Summit in May 2009. The final recommendations will be presented to EU policy-makers on the eve of the European elections which are scheduled for June 2009.

The European Citizens' Consultations are run by a consortium of more than 40 European partner organisations, led by the King Baudouin Foundation (KBF), and is co-funded by foundations including the KBF, Compagnia di San Paolo and the Robert Bosch Foundation, and funders at national level.

Everybody can contribute to the debate on the following website:

www.european-citizens-consultations.eu

/ie or

www.comhairliuchan-eorpach-do-shaoranaigh.eu

Poverty and Exclusion Minimum Social Standards:

Details of the 6th European Round Table on Poverty and Exclusion Minimum Social Standards: A Strategy for Protection and Empowerment. October 16-17, 2007.

Organised by the Portuguese Presidency of the EU.

EU Structural Funds

EU Structural Funds

EU Presidency: 23 March 2005

EU Presidency: conclusions of the Brussels European Council - 22 and 23 March 2005

(including conclusions on the mid-term review of the Lisbon Strategy).

EU Catholic Bishops Conference

EU Catholic Bishops Conferences conclude that "all Christians should assume their responsibility to put the new Constitutional Treaty into practice and to make it work".

Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community

Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community

Ireland and the Future of Europe 3 October 2003

Ireland and the Future of Europe - Leading the way towards inclusion: Text of papers delivered at the CORI Justice Commission's annual social policy conference on October 3rd, 2003.

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Introduction Download Pdf

1 Ireland and the future of Europe: A European perspective : Pat Cox Download Pdf

2 The Just Society: Can we afford it? : David Begg Download Pdf

3 Business and the future of Europe : Brendan Keenan Download Pdf

4 Ireland and the future of Europe: A regional perspective : Patricia O’Hara and Patrick Commins Download Pdf

5 Ireland and the future of Europe: A social perspective: Sean Healy and Brigid Reynolds Download Pdf

Bibliography Download Pdf

National Forum on Europe - Ireland

The National Forum on Europe

Government established the National Forum on Europe after the first Nice Referendum. It was given responsibility for generating ongoing national discussion on all issues pertaining to the future development of the European Union.

The Forum is made up of members of the Oireachtas together with an Observer Pillar consisting of a range of organisations with various interests in the development of the European Union. Members of the Observer Pillar have the right to full participation in the debates but don’t have voting rights.

Having urged Government over many years to establish a forum of this nature the Commission welcomed its establishment and was glad to accept a seat in the Observer Pillar of the Forum. The Commission has been very active in the Forum’s ongoing deliberations at both national and local levels. Fr Sean Healy represents the Commission on the Forum and his alternate is Sr Maureen O’Connell who has played a very active role in the Forum’s work.

In recent months the Forum has focused on the new draft EU treaty being developed by the Convention on the Future of Europe (established by the Council of Ministers and based in Brussels). This treaty may well mark a watershed in EU development as it is likely to propose the first ever constitution to guide the EU and to replace all existing treaties.

The Justice Commission continues to emphasis the importance of three key issues concerning the future of Europe that are not being adequately addressed at present i.e. social policy and socio-economic rights, the democratic deficit and the issue of neutrality.

For latest updates on the Forum on Europe - Ireland.

European Election Issues: Solidarity

Solidarity was at the core of the establishment of the European Union which also sought to promote pluralism, non-discrimination and tolerance. These were seen as promoting human dignity, freedom, democracy and respect for human rights.

A key dimension of solidarity at the EU level concerns social protection and social inclusion.  More than 80 million people in the EU were at risk of poverty before the recent economic crisis.  We deal with poverty issues separataely in this series.  But there are other aspects to solidarity in the EU.
Solidarity among EU States
Structural funds and cohesion funds were put in place as a concrete symbol of solidarity between the richer and poorer regions of the EU.  Ireland benefited enormously from these funds and much of the country’s infrastructure was part-funded at least through these funds.

With the expansion of the Union to 27 countries it is very important that the regional disparities, which have increased enormously, are addressed with sustained and well-resourced action.

Solidarity with the wider world
Looking beyond the EU’s borders the Union’s solidarity should be expressed with policies that promote peace, human rights and democratic development. 

In practice this would require Europe to use its huge economic, political and scientific capacities to promote just and collaborative international relations.  It has used its resources to promote positive development across the EU. It should do the same across the planet which has so many people in great need.

Policy Initiatives
It is very important that all EU policies including trade, agriculture and fiscal policies should support the aims of moving the world towards zero poverty while protecting the world’s environment.

• Promote financial transparency and tax justice so as to avoid capital flight and tax evasion.
• Ensure that all EU trade policies are oriented towards poverty reduction and environmental protection in the EU and across the world.

EU Election Issues: The future of the welfare state

The development of the EU has been strongly portrayed as a peace process.  It has been effective in that regard and has contributed to the process of bringing democratic stabilisation to some high-risk regions of Europe. 

Commitment to supporting the welfare state has been a consistent part of EU policy and strong rhetorical support continues.  There is much affirmation in the EU of the 'European Social Model'.  However the European Social Model is now coming under pressure on a number of fronts.
There is no one dominant model of the welfare state or one dominant 'social model'. 
In recent decades a number of developments have led to questions being raised concerning the reality of this commitment. 

From the 1980s onwards there has been a reaction against the ‘interventionist’ state and growing support for market fundamentalism in the EU. 

There is also a questioning of the peace-building motivation for the EU. 

Instead we have seen the emergence of a view that the European Union should focus on building its power and pooling its sovereignty.  

This implies a very different understanding of the EU and has raised questions on whether or not it remains committed to the ‘European Social Model’ and to ensuring the continuation and strengthening of the welfare state. 

In recent years there has been a growing fear that the elimination of borders across the EU would lead to a ‘race to the bottom’ where welfare provision was concerned.  The evidence on this is mixed. 

Recent economic pressures following from the collapse of much of the world’s financial system have led to growing calls for a reduction in social welfare rates and the cutting back of social services. 

In many cases these calls are based on claims that are patently untrue e.g. that Ireland’s welfare rates are among the most generous in Europe when in fact they are at the other end of the spectrum.  However the lack of data to support the claims has not stopped these claims being made. Rather they appear to emanate from a wish to see the welfare state rolled back. 
The incoming European Parliament should give priority to ensuring the welfare state is protected and promoted. The recent economic collapse has highlighted the need for the European Social Model to be secured for the future.

Election Briefing May 2004

2004 May: Justice Commission publishes Election Briefing on European and Local Government Elections 2004.

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European and local elections highlight the centrality of values

We choose our political leaders through the electoral process in which we vote and express our preferences. The votes we cast are based on values.

The choices made in elections reflect the values of those voting. Those elected have power to make decisions that affect many people.

In June Irish people, North and South, will vote to choose representatives in the European Parliament. In the South we will also vote in local government elections. It is crucial that we all take a moment to reflect on the values that underpin our choices when we vote.

A fundamental value of the Catholic Social Thought tradition is the dignity of the human person. Consequently, we need to recognize that

• The economy exists for the person, not the person for the economy.
• All economic and political life should be judged by how they protect the life and dignity of the human person, support the family and promote the common good.
• A fundamental moral measure of the economic and political system is how it tackles poverty, inequality and social exclusion.
• All people have the right to life and to the basic necessities required to live life with dignity e.g. sufficient income, relevant education, appropriate accommodation, essential healthcare, safe environment, cultural respect and real participation.
• All people have responsibilities that accompany these basic rights.

When we vote in June these are the among the principal values and perspectives that should guide our choices. We should vote for candidates and parties who will use power guided by these values and these perspectives.

Values, Politics and Voting in Elections

• All political systems operate on the basis of values.
• A fundamental value of the Catholic Social Thought tradition is the dignity of the human person.
• From this value flows a range of rights and responsibilities for all people.
• When people vote on June 11, they should vote for candidates and parties who will use power guided by these values and rights.

It is important that people vote

Elections are very important in ensuring the democratic process is effective and renewed constantly. The second week of June this year will provide all voters with an opportunity to make their voices heard in both the local and European elections.

Very often people are critical of the democratic process maintaining that politicians and policy-makers tend to ignore the will of the general population. There may be evidence to support this from time to time.

It is also true however, that politicians pay close attention to the wishes of voters. It is voters who elect and re-elect them. That is why it is important to vote.

We urge every person to study the candidates and policies on offer and to cast their vote.

Moment of major change in the EU

Europe is changing dramatically. Recent months have seen the most intense period of change in the EU since its foundation in 1957. From May 1st, 2004 the EU has 25 member states, including the 10 new entrants, with a population of 450 million people. This means the Union's population has increased by 28 per cent while its average income has fallen by 18 per cent.

Many of the structures and procedures currently in place in the EU are being adjusted and a new draft constitution sets out a blueprint for change. Final decisions on the proposed Constitution are imminent. Both Ireland and the UK will hold a referendum in the coming year or two to decide whether or not a new treaty, incorporating a new European Constitution, is to be approved and implemented.

This is a special moment in the development of the European Union. It provides Ireland with major challenges and opportunities. What sort of future Europe do Irish people, North or South want? What contribution can we make to this momentous development? What priorities should guide us in making decisions on these issues? These are among the questions that all voters need to consider when they cast their votes in the European Parliament elections.

The parliamentarians elected will be in office for the next five years during which the EU will face many challenges both internally and externally. The following pages highlight five of the key issues to be addressed. In each case we highlight values, principles and criteria that should guide decision-makers’ reflection, judgment, and action. They can also guide voters as they decide on who is to represent them in shaping the future EU.

Ireland will have 16 seats in new EU Parliament

Ireland will have sixteen seats in the new European Parliament. This means a reduction of two due to the expansion of the EU to include 25 member States.

Three of these seats are in Northern Ireland, the remaining 13 are in four constituencies in the Republic.

The constituencies in the Republic have been re-organised. The main changes have been in the old Connacht/Ulster constituency which now includes Clare and is called North and West.

The old Munster constituency, minus Clare, is now called South and will have only three seats compared to its former four.

There has been a similar reduction in seats, from four to three, in the old Leinster constituency now called East.

The Dublin constituency maintains its four seats.

Ireland will have sixteen seats in the new European Parliament - three in Northern Ireland and thirteen in the Republic.

Need to rebalance EU focus to ensure the European project has a social as well as an economic dimension

Many of the major issues confronting the leaders and peoples of Europe at this time are in the social sphere. The terms of the social contract are contested constantly. The rich grow richer while poverty and social exclusion are the lived experience of a substantial proportion of the Union's population. Equality of opportunity, not to mention equality of outcome, remains an ideal to be achieved in many spheres. Public services are inadequate. Social provision is in decline and, increasingly, not seen as a responsibility of the State. Government decisions and policies seem intent on strengthening these divisions while Government rhetoric claims to be achieving the opposite.

European development at this point requires that the social dimension be given greater priority and that the economic and social agendas be rebalanced. We identify four key initiatives we believe would make a substantial contribution to this much needed rebalancing. These four initiatives are: 1. Adopt a rights-based approach in addressing social, economic and cultural issues; 2. Recognise the elimination of poverty as an objective of EU; 3. Strengthening the Open Method of Co-ordination which is ineffective in ensuring the social area receives priority; and 4. Recognise the community and voluntary sector as a social partner in the European context.

Check the positions of the various candidates and political parties on these issues before deciding on how to cast your vote in the European Parliament Elections.

European Election issues

Eradication of Poverty should be an objective of the European Constitution
Values.. Principles.. Criteria.. to guide reflection, judgment, action

According to the Irish Government’s National Anti-Poverty Strategy:

People are living in poverty if their income and resources (material, cultural and social) are so inadequate as to preclude them from having a standard of living that is regarded as acceptable by Irish society generally. As a result of inadequate income and resources people may be excluded and marginalized from participating in activities that are considered the norm for other people in society.

This is a description of poverty and social exclusion with which we wholeheartedly agree. In particular it recognises the importance of the dignity of the human person.

Despite having a number of programmes and initiatives aimed at tackling the reality of poverty and social exclusion, the EU has not given these issues the priority they require. There are 55 million people living in poverty in the EU-15 and millions more in the ten new member States.

The reality of the EU today is that the rich grow richer while poverty and social exclusion are the lived experience of a substantial proportion of the Union’s population. Equality of opportunity, not to mention equality of outcome, remains an ideal to be achieved in many spheres. Social provision is not adequate to meet the basic needs of many and, increasingly, is not seen as the responsibility of the State.

For the European Parliament it is important that this understanding of poverty and social exclusion guide actions in relation to the EU itself and in relation to the wider world.

The eradication of poverty in the EU should be made an objective of the new European Constitution and be supported by the European Parliament.

2. Sustainability

Values.. Principles.. Criteria.. to guide reflection, judgment, action

In the modern world sustainability has a number of different dimensions i.e. the economic, the environmental and the social. An approach to economic development that is not sustainable in the long run is not a sensible option. Neither is an approach to policy that would see the environment seriously damaged. Most often overlooked is the need to ensure that policies are socially sustainable over the years. Economic development may well produce a future that people are not happy with. A good example of this at present is the growing disillusionment among a great many people with the frenzied nature of modern living and the lack of balance this produces in their day to day lives. There is more to life than becoming better off—as more and more people recognise.

All EU policies should be economically, environmentally and socially sustainable.

3. Environment

Values.. Principles.. Criteria.. to guide reflection, judgment, action

Building a just society, in the Christian understanding of that term, includes the development of right relationships with the environment. Our environment is a priceless asset. Its protection is of major importance not just to current times but also to the generations that will follow us. However, the environment is regularly taken for granted, it is often mistreated and excessively exploited. In this context we can see major problems in Ireland on issues such as waste disposal and recycling, greenhouse gases and air pollution to name just a few. These are EU-wide issues that have implications for agriculture, water resources, forestry, sea-levels and eco-systems. In the EU context there is also a range of issues concerning genetic engineering and the patenting of seeds. All of these issues require urgent attention at EU level.

4.Developing a rights-based approach

Values.. Principles.. Criteria.. to guide reflection, judgment, action

Economic growth does not provide any guarantee that poverty and social exclusion will be eliminated or even addressed in the EU. We have had substantial economic growth over the decades but poverty and social exclusion persist and are the lived experience of a large proportion of EU citizens.

The developments of a rights-based approach to social, economic and cultural issues within the EU is essential to secure progress for all people in the long term. Within international human rights instruments there are divisions between different generations of rights. The first generation consists of civil and political rights. The second consists of social, economic and cultural (SEC) rights. The third generation concerns issues such as ethical globalisation and is seen in the growing emphasis on the right to an environment free of pollution.

SEC rights recognised by the EU should include the rights

• sufficient income to live life with dignity,
• meaningful work,
• appropriate accommodation,
• relevant education,
• essential healthcare,
• cultural respect and
• real participation.

Developing a rights-based approach in these areas should be a priority of the EU Parliament.

Economic growth does not eliminate poverty and social exclusion. A rights-based approach is essential for these to be addressed.

5. Relationship with the Developing World

Values.. Principles.. Criteria.. to guide reflection, judgment, action

The global economy has moral dimensions and human consequences. Decisions on investment, trade, aid and development should protect human life and promote human rights, especially for those most in need wherever they might live on this globe.

The European Parliament is having increasing influence on EU economic policies which directly and adversely impact on populations in Africa and other least developed countries. Current issues of concern requiring action by the European Parliament include:

• Proposals to privatize public water services in Africa;
• Legalisation of bio-piracy and undermining of farmers rights in Africa and beyond;
• Failure to priorities financing of national poverty reduction strategies over the financing of debt service.
• The AIDS pandemic.

The European Parliament can play a major role in ensuring these and related issues are addressed.

What kind of Europe do you want to see emerge?

The European Parliament elections provide an opportunity for all of us to reflect on the kind of Europe we would like to see emerge. Too often decisions in the Union are developed on the basis of what is good for economic growth or for the progressing of priorities that concern an economic and social elite.

As a result, there are more than 55 million people in the EU of 15 member States at risk of poverty and millions more in the ten countries that joined the Union on May 1.

It also explains why issues ranging from sustainability and the environment to the Union’s relationships with the developing world receive so little attention compared to the issues of concern to those with resources and/or power.

What kind of Europe do you want to see emerge? This is the voter’s opportunity to have a say in the shaping of a new Europe.

Major changes in Local Government

Much lip-service is given to supporting people’s right to participate in shaping the decisions that impact on them. There have been some developments long these lines at various levels in recent years. At local government level the development of strategic Policy Committees and County/City Development Boards are moves in this direction.

Real participation by all is essential if society is to develop and, in practice, maintain principles guaranteeing human dignity, satisfaction of basic needs, respect for others as equals, etc. Modern means of communications and information make it relatively easy to involve people in dialogue and decision making. It should be easy to do this in the context of local democracy and local government. It is a question of political will: will the groups who have the power share it with others?

Local government in Ireland has had little power over the years. There has been a strong resistance in some quarters to devolving power to a local or regional level. The development of new structures at local government level in recent years, however, provides a basis for real decentralisation.

The development of local democracy seems to be a priority of recent Governments. While these developments have a long way to go before they show a real willingness to involve more people in local decision-making, they are steps in the right direction and should be supported. When voting in the forthcoming local elections it is crucial that people reflect on the kind of local government they want in the years ahead. Do they want a more participative local democracy? Do they want more decisions made locally? People should cast their votes based on their answers to these questions.

Dev. Strategies add new dimension

Each County Development Board has, during the term of office of the outgoing Council, produced a County/City Development Strategy to cover the period to 2012. Work is ongoing on developing the actions to ensure this strategy is implemented across a wide range of activities.

The Community and Voluntary Sector representatives on these Boards were chosen by the Community Forum in the local authority.

Each of the Boards has a Social Inclusion Measures Committee which focuses on the various initiatives in the social inclusion area that are being developed within the Local Authority area. A measure of the importance of these Committees is the fact that they have been given responsibility for reviewing all proposals being made by groups or organisations within the local authority area before these are forwarded for funding.

County Development Boards will have growing responsibility for a wider range of activities in local authority areas in the years ahead.

New structures provide new opportunities for all those interested in local development

During the past term of office of the local authorities going out of office at this time there has been a number of developments that transformed the way local government works and the ways in which it is expected to involve a wide range of local interests in its deliberations and decision-making.

A number of Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs) have been established in every local authority. While the elected councilors maintain a majority on these SPCs a third of each of them is made up of outside interests which vary, depending on the issues being addressed by the particular SPC. The Community and Voluntary Sector has representatives on these Committees. Community Forums have been established in each local authority as well. These draw together all interested groups in the Community and Voluntary Sector. They provide a new opportunity to the sector to ensure its voice is heard as well as ensuring that the sector is fully informed on developments in a comprehensive and timely manner.

County Development Boards have also been established in all local authorities. These draw together representatives of the elected County or City Council, local development agencies, national bodies and social partners.

These structures provide new opportunities for all those interested in local development to ensure their voice is heard and to participate in shaping the decisions that affect them. These opportunities should be taken.

Local Election Issues

1. Housing and Accommodation

Values.. Principles.. Criteria.. to guide reflection, judgment, action

Everybody has the right to appropriate accommodation. Ireland’s housing policy, however, is in some disarray as waiting lists get longer while a quarter of all new houses built in 2003 were second (i.e. holiday) homes. Currently there are 130,000 people in more than 48,000 households on waiting lists for social housing.

At the rate Government is addressing this problem it will take thirty years to eliminate the housing waiting list. The scale of this response is totally inadequate given the size of the problem currently being faced by many of Ireland’s most vulnerable people and given the resources that are available but not being used to address this problem.

Local authorities are responsible for providing sufficient social accommodation for those who do not have the resources to purchase or rent on the private market. They are also responsible for the accommodation of groups with specific needs such as homeless people, Travellers and people with disabilities.

Recent developments suggest that local authorities may be trying to renege on their responsibilities in this area. It is important for voters to be aware of local accommodation needs and whether or not the plans developed by the local authority are of sufficient scale to address the housing challenge.

It remains a national shame that Ireland, in spite of its prosperity, refuses to provide the resources required to ensure that every person in the country has appropriate accommodation.

In terms of putting human dignity at the core of values that guide public policy it is essential that those elected to local authorities in the elections of June 2004 be committed to addressing these issues on an appropriate scale.

2. Public Transport

Values.. Principles.. Criteria.. to guide reflection, judgment, action

Transport remains a major problem in many areas. Bottlenecks throughout the country are adding to the difficulty and cost experienced by people in conducting their lives. Increasing numbers of cars are also adding to problems of environmental destruction.
A new transport policy would seek to provide easy access, affordable and high-quality public transport across the whole country.

The failure to give adequate resources to some of the national rail services raises serious questions about government commitment to the environment and to rural and peripheral areas. Local authorities play a key role in the development of public transport. Consequently, it is essential that the newly elected Councils be prepared to prioritise this issue.

Transport policy should seek to provide easy access, affordable and high-quality public transport across the whole country.

3. Local Environment

Values.. Principles.. Criteria.. to guide reflection, judgment, action

Our environment is a priceless asset. It is crucial that our relationship with the environment respects it and ensures that a useful balance is maintained.
Where local authorities are concerned there are a number of areas that require attention. Among these are the condition of the local environment and the issue of waste management. The condition of parks, green areas, footpaths, open spaces and the like can have a huge impact on the living conditions of people. Too often the local authority does not take sufficient responsibility on this issue. Likewise, waste management is becoming a major local issue whether it concerns waste disposal or waste charges. Addressing these issues costs money and requires a mature exercise of responsibility. Both provide major challenges to newly elected local authorities.

4. Poverty and Social Exclusion

Values.. Principles.. Criteria.. to guide reflection, judgment, action

The sustained high rates of poverty and income inequality in Ireland are most visible at the local level. Tackling these issues is a multifaceted task requiring action on many fronts ranging from healthcare to education, from accommodation to employment.
However, the most important requirement in tackling poverty is the provision of sufficient income to people to enable them to live life with dignity.

All of these issues are addressed, in one way or another, by local authorities. All the County/City Development Strategies have identified some aspects of poverty and social exclusion for special consideration and action. Social Inclusion Committees (SIMs) have been established at County Development Board level to address these issues. All of which is of value.

However, it is essential that these issues be given priority in the years immediately ahead as we find ourselves in this new situation of having the resources to eliminate poverty and social exclusion.

Newly elected Councils should be prepared to prioritise strategies and initiatives aimed at eliminating poverty and social exclusion.

Such prioritization should include initiatives to link with other County and City Councils to ensure Government at national level provides sufficient resources to address these issues adequately, which is not being done at present.

The sustained high rates of poverty and income inequality in Ireland are most visible at a local level

5. Resourcing Community Activity

Values.. Principles.. Criteria.. to guide reflection, judgment, action

Resourcing community activity concerns both services being provide in local areas and support being provided for community and voluntary organisations.

For almost a decade organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector have funded the delivery of services in local areas through the Community Employment (CE) scheme. As the overall number of places on CE programmes was reduced from 40,000 to 20,000 in recent years no provision has been made by Government to ensure services such as meals-on-wheels would be resourced. This continues to cause serious hardship to a great many people.

Community Forums have been established in all local authority areas in recent years. They play a major part in ensuring that the voices, concerns and experience of local people are brought to bear on local decision-making processes.

Local authorities should ensure sufficient resources are made available to support community and voluntary activity.

Promotion of human dignity should be top priority

Values.. Principles.. Criteria.. to guide reflection, judgment, action

Local authorities are very important. They form a crucial component of any real effort to decentralize and deliver a more participative democracy at local level. Many of society’s problems and challenges are most visible at local level.

We have highlighted five of these in this Election Briefing. People will be well aware of many others from their own experience.

It is crucial that newly elected Councils should be aware of these issues and be prepared to give them priority in the years immediately ahead. This is essential if human dignity is to be the core guiding value of our society into the future.

Learn what the candidates and parties stand for and vote accordingly on June 11th.

Referendum on citizenship in the Republic of Ireland will also be held on June 11

A referendum to change the Constitution provision governing citizenship will also be voted on in the Republic of Ireland on June 11 (cf. text of the proposed amendment in box).

Those in favour of this referendum being passed claim that:

• It is a technical change to the law which is necessary to close an unforeseen loophole in the Constitution which has been exploited in recent times by unscrupulous ’citizenship tourists’.
• No other EU country has the same laws as Ireland and we need to adjust to the situation in the rest of the EU.
• Our laws make Ireland an attractive destination for people seeking EU citizenship which puts our services under pressure.
  Those who argue against this referendum claim that:
• It appears to reverse the basis of acquiring Irish citizenship which has existed since 1921. This basis is the same as applies in the USA, Canada, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Brazil and at least 36 other countries.
• This basis, now to be changed, is the traditional republican approach to citizenship, which treats all children equal at birth and does not dictate their status by who their parents are.
• We require a comprehensive debate on this issue. More time is need to have that debate.

We urge all voters to consider the arguments carefully before voting on June 11th.

Proposed new wording for the Irish Constitution

1. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution, a person born in the island of Ireland, which includes its islands and its seas, who does not have, at the time of his or her birth, at least one parent who is an Irish citizen or entitled to be an Irish citizen is not entitled to Irish citizenship or nationality, unless otherwise provided for by law.
2. This section shall not apply to persons born before the date of the enactment of this section.

NGO toolkit on the European Parliament Elections 2004

NGO toolkit on the European Parliament Elections 2004 published by the act4europe campaign and the Civil Society Contact Group

Caritas Europa calls for action to address present crisis which is the result of injustice

In a statement following its Social Policy Forum in Prague, Caritas Europa has identified four key principles that should be followed in addressing the current crisis:

• The eradication of poverty and social exclusion must be the goal of a modern, inclusive society.
• Fighting against poverty and social exclusion must be a concern and a duty for everybody: individual citizens, organised civil society and public authorities.
• Solidarity and social responsibility must be human values having equal importance as individual freedom.
• Social justice must be the key objective for all political action.

The Caritas Europa statement goes on to state:

The crisis is the result of injustice

The present crisis is the result of injustice – it is the result of wrong decisions and weak politics over the last 20 years. As a consequence more people will be affected by poverty and deprived of the means to a decent life. This is a man-made crisis, not a natural disaster, and it is just as much a crisis of values as it is an economic crisis.

It would be a scandal if the expenses of the ‘extravagant party’ of the past decades are now to be paid by those who were never invited to attend it. Yet this is what is happening: many governments are responding to the crisis by cutting spending on social protection.

Caritas calls upon governments to reinforce social protection systems and to improve their effectiveness as instruments to prevent poverty.

Caritas calls for social cohesion.

Some politicians are calling for more consumption, while others are calling for less. All are desperately calling for more ‘confidence in the system’. In the meantime, on the streets of some countries people are clearly demonstrating that they have lost confidence in ‘the system’ and in their own politicians. We may witness increasing political instability. Democracy itself may be at risk.

Caritas is convinced that this ‘crisis’ can become a kairos, a moment of opportunity, if those caught by it understand that they are actors and not simply victims. We do not allow others to fix our minds and our hearts on a financial or economic crisis – something that is nothing new for the poor of this world. They have lived their own “economic crisis” for decades. Today however poverty and social exclusion are becoming threats for even more people. Social justice must once again take its appropriate place on the political stage.

Community building at grass roots level has always been a priority for Caritas. We are experts in organising community life in Europe and across the world. Community building must now become a key priority for politics as well. In recent decades we have lived through an era of individualism, where people tended to focus more on their own fulfilment than on the development of their communities. Now is the time for a renaissance of communities. Organising communities is not simply a matter of political expediency; it is both a necessity and an opportunity to reinstate solidarity.

Social cohesion must be promoted, shifting from an individual-oriented society to a community-based society where solidarity between people and between nations is a central and consistently practiced value.

Caritas calls for renewed attention to social services

Social services of general interest have been subject to over-regulation, in stark contrast to economic activities which have been de-regulated to the point of triggering the current crisis. Now more than ever, new and innovative approaches are needed with regard to social services, taking into account the new socio-economic environment. New types of services are necessary not only to care for the poorest of the poor, but also for the new poor. In an interdependent and inclusive society, services must be designed in a way that ensures cohesion and solidarity, not segregation. These social services must be organised within the cradle of local communities, using the skills and personal commitment of both professionals and volunteers.

Investment in social services and in social economy must be boosted, both to alleviate the effects of the crisis and to foster new growth.

Caritas calls for a new ‘ethos’ in financial and economic behaviour

Financial services such as solidarity funds and ethical/social banks must be provided with more favourable operating conditions, because their activities directly support the poor and most excluded people, thereby promoting financial inclusion. These financial service providers, who base their business model on ethics and social responsibility, certainly deserve the same - if not better – conditions than all other financial institutions. More broadly, we call for a redesign of the international financial system and for all economic activities to be based on ethical considerations.

Caritas calls for direct dialogue with civil society

National governments and multilateral organisations have a specific shared responsibility. They have to work together and help society rebuild itself as a sustainable one. We – Caritas and other civil society organisations – need their help and support. Solutions are already emerging from the grassroots and being articulated through networks like Caritas.

We call upon national governments and multilateral organisations to enable civil society to fully participate in the policy decisions of today.

Without a strong and active civil society, governments and multilateral organisations will be at risk themselves.

Multilateralism is also at risk. We call upon multilateral organisations to make all possible efforts to avoid governmental tendencies towards protectionism. International fora provide good opportunities for transnational cooperation beyond nationalistic or continental perspectives, and for fostering a sense of solidarity, not only between individuals but also between nations and continents.

Caritas, acting together with people affected by poverty, is committed to contribute to a ‘civilisation of love’ (Paul VI) which in today’s political language translates into a cohesive and inclusive society.

Caritas Europa is one of the seven regions of Caritas Internationalis, the worldwide

Caritas Europa is the umbrella organisation of the European network of 48 Caritas member organisations, working in 44 European countries. It is one of the seven regions of Caritas Internationalis which is a worldwide confederation of 162 Catholic relief, development and social service organisations working to build a better world, especially for the poor and oppressed, in over 200 countries and territories.

Caritas Europa focuses its activities on policy issues related to poverty and social inequality, migration and asylum within all countries of Europe, and issues of emergency humanitarian assistance, international development and peace throughout the world. With regard to all these issues, the organisation develops policies for political advocacy and lobbying at European level as well as at national level.

CORI Justice works with Caritas Europa on a wide range of issues focusing particularly on poverty, inequality and social exclusion.

The full text of the Caritas Europa Statement can be accessed here.

EU Social Agenda leaves a lot to be desired

CORI Justice has concluded that the 'Renewed Social Agenda' announced by the European Commission falls far short of what is desired if the European Union is to act effectively on a wide range of social issues that need to be addressed if Europe is to be an effective generator of social inclusion. Of particular concern is the failure at EU Commission level to recognise that economic development and social development are two sides of the one coin. Economic development is required if social services are to be adequately resourced. On the other hand good social services are required if economic development is to be sustained. An obvious illustration of the accuracy of this claim can be found in the area of education. If education services are not adequate then economic development will suffer.

CORI Justice welcomes the fact that the European Commission recognises the need for a renewed social agenda to address the changing social realities of recent times. The scale of this renewed agenda, however, is not nearly sufficient to address the problems that need to be addressed.

Recent developments in Ireland have highlighted the need to ensure that social inclusion is at the heart of policy development at both a national and an EU level. At present the emphasis on 'Growth and Jobs' is not sufficient to build a Europe that secures what is required for every person to live life with dignity while also protecting the environment. A much broader policy approach is required; an approach that would secure that was sustainable, economically, environmentally and socially.

The European Commission launched its renewed Social Agenda on July 2, 2008

According to the Commission its new social proposals seek to boost access, opportunities and social justice. Discrimination is also tackled under a wide EU package on coping with social change in a global economy. The main aspects can be checked under the following headings:

The European Social Agenda launched on July 2, 2008

Combating Poverty

This contains a series of documents and links to:

• Social Services of General Interest - Commission Report
• Social Inclusion
• Social Protection

Children and Youth

This contains links to:

• Schools for the 21st Century
• Boosting cross-border volunteering in Europe
• Green Paper on 'Migration and Mobility'
• Youth in Action programme

Investing in People

This contains a series of documents and links to:

• European Works Councils - Citizens; summary
• European Works Councils - Draft Directive
• European Globalisation Adjustment Fund - Citizens' Summary
• The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) Communication
• Restructuring and employment - the contribution of the EU
• Company-based transnational agreements - Working document
• Telework - Framework Agreement.

Longer and Healthier Lives

This contains a series of documents and links to:

• The European Health strategy 2008-2013
• Community strategy for 2007-2012 on health and safety at work
• Cross-border Health Care

Strengthening Instruments

This contains a series of reports and links to:

• Open Method of Coordination in the Social Domain - Communication
• Open Method of Coordination in the Social Domain - Impact assessment (summary)
• Open method of Coordination in the Social Domain - Citizen's summary
• Proposal for a directive on maritime standards
• Social Protection
• Social Inclusion
• European Commission'[s Health DG
• European Commission's Economic and Financial Affairs DG
• European commission's Education and Culture DG

Fighting discrimination

This section contains a series of documents and links to:

• Communication on the Fight agains Discrimination
• The fight Against Discriminatin - Citizen's summary
• The Fight Against Discrimination - Directives
• The Fight Against Discrimination - Impct Assessment (summary)
• Equal Treatment Directive
• Community Instruments and Policies for Roma Inclusion

The International Agenda

This section contains a series of documents and links to:

• Decent work for all
• Proposal for a directive on maritime standards

CORI Justice urges European Commission to recognise the complementarity of economic and social policy

CORI Justice welcomes the reconfirmation by the European Council of the importance of the social dimension of the EU as an integral part of the Lisbon Strategy. We also welcome the emphasis given by the Council to the need to integrate economic, employment and social policies. However, we have heard these commitments before and in the recent past in particular there has been a failure by the European Commission to give sufficient expression in its programmes to similar commitments from the European Council.
We trust that on this occasion the Council’s decision will be followed by appropriate action by the Commission to ensure the social dimension of European policy is given equal priority with its economic dimension.

Ireland’s national agreement between Government and Social Partners, Towards 2016, emphasises the complementarity of economic and social policy. Good economic development is essential to ensure adequate resources exist to fund social development. At the same time, good social development is required if the economy is to thrive.

CORI Justice also notes the Council’s statement that: “The European Council looks forward to the Commission's proposal for a renewed Social Agenda which should play a key role in strengthening the social dimension of the Lisbon Strategy by taking account of Europe's new social and labour realities and also covering issues such as youth, education, migration and demography as well as intercultural dialogue. In this context combating poverty and social exclusion, promoting active inclusion and increasing employment opportunities for those furthest from the labour market are all of major importance. To this end all the appropriate instruments and tools available at Community level should be used.” (paragraph 14 of the EU Council’s final statement).

If these words are to be credible then CORI Justice believes it is crucial that:

• Concrete initiatives are put in place at both EU and national levels immediately to strengthen substantially the social dimension of the Lisbon Strategy.
• Significant action is taken to reduce dramatically the number of people at risk of poverty in the EU from its current level of 78 million.
• The value of all work done by people is fully recognised – not just paid employment but also work done in the home, in the community and beyond which is not currently recognised as being of value but which is essential for families, communities and society to function.
• Significant action is taken to tackle the issue of the ‘working poor’ given that 18.9 million people in the EU who have a job are also at risk of poverty.

Given Ireland’s target on adult literacy (which would leave between half and three quarters of a million people in the labour force having serious literacy difficulties in 2016) the European Council made some very significant calls to Member States to take concrete action to:

• “Substantially reduce the number of young people who cannot read properly and the number of early school leavers, and improve the achievement levels of learners with a migrant background or from disadvantaged groups;
• Attract more adults, particularly low-skilled and older workers into education and training and further facilitate geographic and occupational mobility;
• Improve policy consistency and coordination of economic, employment and social policies in order to enhance social cohesion.” (paragraph 15 of final statement).

CORI Justice calls on the Irish Government to act immediately to give far greater priority to reducing the level of serious literacy difficulties among Ireland’s working age population.

EU – Key documents on Growth and Jobs

EU – Key documents on Growth and Jobs

EU Member States' autumn 2007 reports on the implementation of their National Reform Programmes

EU Member States' autumn 2007 reports on the implementation of their National Reform Programmes.

National Reform Programmes (Lisbon Agenda)

National Reform Programmes (Lisbon Agenda) - Member States' autumn 2007 reports on the implementation of their National Reform Programmes

Poverty and Exclusion - Eurobarometer publication

Poverty and Exclusion - Eurobarometer publication September 2007.

Trends, Recent Developments, Active Inclusion and Minimum Resources

Trends, Recent Developments, Active Inclusion and Minimum Resources - First Semester report 2006

Sustainable Development – History

Sustainable Development – History – Key links

Sustainable Development – European Portal

Sustainable Development – European Portal – Links to key information

Sustainable Development – Progress Report on the EU Sustainable Development Strategy October 22, 2007

Sustainable Development – Progress Report on the EU Sustainable Development Strategy October 22, 2007

Reports on the monitoring and evaluation of the National Action Plans for Social Inclusion 2004

Reports on the monitoring and evaluation of the National Action Plans for Social Inclusion (2004)

Reports on implementation of National Action Plans for Social Inclusion 2005

Reports on implementation of National Action Plans for Social Inclusion (2003-2005)

Reports on implementation of National Action Plans for Social Inclusion (2001-2003)

Reports on implementation of National Action Plans for Social Inclusion (2001-2003)

Belgian Presidency of EU will be challenging on social agenda

The second half of 2010 will see Belgium take over the Presidency of the EU. What this will mean for Europe’s Social Agenda however remains unclear. It is very important that Belgium argues for social protection expenditure to be protected as so many austerity budgets have been introduced across the EU.

 Belgium has traditionally been one of the EU's more vocal member states in highlighting social issues. However, Belgian politicians are currently in negotiations to form a new government which is likely to bring in tough austerity measures. Consequently, it may prove difficult for them to push an ambitious social package at EU level if they are acting in a different manner at home.

• The push for a framework directive on minimum income,
• Conferences on the themes of homelessness and child poverty.
• Working out the details of how the 'Europe 2020' targets on poverty and social inclusion are to be implemented in practice. Under the terms of the final agreement on Europe 2020, EU countries have three options for measuring the percentage of their population living in poverty or social exclusion

The European Social Protection and Social Inclusion Process

The European Social Protection and Social Inclusion Process

- Access to key reports and information on processes

Taking Forward the EU Social Inclusion Process

Taking Forward the EU Social Inclusion Process – Independent Report prepared for the EU Presidency, July 31, 2005.

Implementation Report for Ireland on the NAP/Inclusion 2003-2005

Implementation Report for Ireland on the NAP/Inclusion 2003-2005.

National strategy reports on adequate and sustainable pension systems (2005)

National strategy reports on adequate and sustainable pension systems (2005) – submitted by individual member countries to the EU.

EU Social Agenda 9 February 2005

EU Social Agenda - EU Commission's Communication - February 9, 2005

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EU Sustainable Development Strategy

EU Sustainable Development Strategy: Initial Stocktaking and Future Orientations - EU Commission's Communication - February 9, 2005

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CORI Justice Submission on National Action Plan

Submission to Office of Social Inclusion Consultation on preparation of Ireland’s National Action Plan against Poverty and Social Exclusion 2006-08

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October 2005

Context of this Submission

Despite the advances in employment and economic growth achieved over the last few years, the phenomena of poverty and social exclusion remain large. Their sustained existence remains as one of this country’s major failures.

CORI Justice Commission believes that the new National Action Plan should contain clear objectives and priorities, set specific targets which it is possible to monitor, be integrated in to playing a central role in national decision making and commit Government to providing the necessary resources to make a substantial impact on eliminating poverty and social exclusion. Furthermore, the strategies and measures it adopts should conform to the following five principles: human dignity; non-discrimination; social justice; universal and structural social policy; and human rights.

Poverty in Ireland

The most up-to-date data available on poverty in Ireland comes from the 2003 EU-SILC survey, conducted by the CSO. Table 1 presents their key findings showing poverty levels among the Irish population. Using the EU poverty line set at 60 per cent of median income, the findings reveal that in 2003 more than one in every five of those living in Ireland were living in poverty. The table also indicates that there has been a sustained growth in the proportion of the population living below these lines. Data for 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2003 show that the proportion of the population in poverty has risen from 19.8 per cent in 1998 to 22.7 per cent in 2003. These are the only years for which comparable data has been provided.

Source: CSO (2005a:5), using national equivalence scale

As it is sometimes easy to overlook the sheer scale of Ireland’s poverty problem it is useful to translate the poverty percentages into numbers of people. Using the percentages for the 60 per cent poverty line above and population statistics from the CSO (2003:48) we can calculate the numbers of people in Ireland who have been in poverty for the years 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2003. These calculations are presented in table 2 below. The results give a better insight into how large the phenomenon of poverty is.

Source: Calculated using CSO (2005a: 5), national equivalence scale and CSO (2003:48)

The fact that there are now more than 900,000 people in Ireland living life on a level of income that is this low must be a major concern. As we have shown in our Socio-Economic Review (Pathways to Inclusion p21) these levels of income are not unreasonable and those below them clearly face difficulty in achieving what the NAPS described as “a standard of living that is regarded as acceptable by Irish society generally”.

Ireland’s Poor

The results of the EU-SULC survey provided a breakdown of those who are poor. Table 3 presents figures for the risk of poverty facing people when they are classified by their principal economic status. These risk figures represent the proportion of each group that are found to be in receipt of a disposable income that is less than the 60 per cent median income poverty line.

Source: CSO (2005a:9), using national equivalence scale
Note: * no recorded figure as sample occurrences were too small for estimation

As such, the group of the Irish population that are at highest risk of poverty are the ill and people with a disability. More than one in every two people who are classified as ill/disabled live in poverty. Apart from those classified as others, the next biggest group at risk of poverty are the unemployed. 42 per cent of this group live in poverty and when broken down by gender the table shows that the risk levels are much greater for unemployed males. More that one in three of those on home duties (primarily women) live with incomes below the poverty line while a similar figure (31 per cent) is recorded among those who are retired. A closer assessment of the risk levels of poverty among the retired reveals that their risk of poverty rate has climbed to its current level from a rate of 8.2 per cent in 1994 (see Whelan et al, 2003:24). Students, whether living in poor families while completing their secondary education or while attending post-secondary education also have a high poverty rate at 30.3 per cent. The lowest poverty risk figure is recorded for those at work (employees, self-employed, farmers) with just under one in every ten of this group living below the poverty line.

One obvious conclusion to draw from table 3 is that the highest risk of poverty levels is concentrated among those dependent on the social welfare system. As CORI Justice Commission has pointed out for some time, it is essential that adequate welfare payments are provided for these groups so that their poverty is addressed and reduced.

Key Groups:

(i) Poverty and Social Welfare Recipients

CORI Justice Commission has always pointed out the very important role that social welfare plays in addressing poverty. Our continued campaign to increase the rates of social welfare reflects this belief. As part of the EU-SILC results the CSO have provided an interesting insight into the role that social welfare payments play in tackling Ireland’s poverty levels. They have calculated what the levels of poverty are before and after the payment of social welfare benefits. Table 4 presents these results and shows that without the social welfare system Ireland’s poverty rate in 2003 would have been 38.4 per cent. The actual poverty figure of 22.7 per cent reflects the fact that social welfare payments reduced poverty by 15.7 per cent. The small increases in social welfare in 2000 and 2001 are reflected in the smaller effects achieved in those years. As the government commits more money to social welfare payments, as agreed under the NAPS and Sustaining Progress, these figures measuring the role of social welfare in reducing poverty will increase.

Source: CSO (2005a:8), using national equivalence scale.

As social welfare payments do not flow to everybody in the population it is interesting to examine the impact they have on alleviating poverty among certain groups such as the elderly. Without any social welfare payments 82.5 per cent of all those aged over 65 years in Ireland would be living in poverty. Benefit entitlements reduce the poverty level among this group to 36.4 per cent. While this poverty rate is still very high, the fact that more than eight out of every ten of the elderly would be in poverty without benefits underscores the importance of these payments to the elderly.

Many of the groups in Irish society who have experienced increases in their poverty levels over the last decade have been dependent on social welfare payments. These include pensioners, the unemployed, lone parents and those who are ill or people with a disability. Table 5 presents the results of an analysis of five key welfare recipient groups performed by the ESRI using poverty data for five of the years between 1994 and 2001. These are the years that the Irish economy grew fastest and the core years of the famed ‘Celtic Tiger’ boom. Between 1994 and 2001 all categories experienced large growth in their poverty risk. For example, in 1994 only 5 in every 100 old age pension recipients were in poverty; in 2001 this had increased ten-fold to almost 50 in every 100. The experience of widow’s pension recipients is similar.

Source: Whelan et al (2003: 31).

The lesson to be learnt from table 5 centres on the inadequacy of social welfare payments. Throughout the last decade CORI Justice Commission has repeatedly pointed out how these have failed to rise in proportion to earnings elsewhere in society. The primary consequence of this is that recipients have slipped further and further back and as a consequence more and more have fallen into poverty. It is clear that adequate levels of social welfare need to be delivered and we outline our proposals for this below.

(ii) Child poverty

One of the most vulnerable groups in any society are children and consequently the issue of child poverty is one that deserves particular attention. In 2003 there were approximately 895,022 children aged between 0 and 15 years living in Ireland. (1) Of these table 6 indicates that one in four were living in poverty. This amounts to 223,756 children. The scale of this statistic is shocking. Given that our children are our future, this finding is not acceptable. Furthermore, the fact that such a large proportion of our children are living in poverty has obvious implications for the education system and the success of these children within it. The new National plan must consider the scale of this problem.

Source: CSO (2005a:9), using national equivalence scale.

(iii) Older people

According to Census 2002 there are 392,836 people aged over 65 living in Ireland and of these 113,826 live alone. When poverty is analysed across the age groups dramatic differences between the young, middle aged and old are visible. The 2003 figures show that 20.1 per cent of all those aged between 15-64 live in relative income poverty while 36.4 per cent of those aged 65 and over are in this situation.

Over time the risk of being in poverty has increased sharply for the elderly. Table 7 shows how the proportion of older people who are in poverty changed between 1994 and 2003. In 1994 this stood at 5.9 per cent, by 1998 it had risen to 32.9 per cent and in 2001 it peaked at 44.1 per cent. The most recent set of figures for 2003 suggest that this has decreased slightly to a position where over one in three of Ireland’s elderly are living in poverty. While this recent decrease is to be welcomed, it remains a concern that so many of this countries senior citizens are living on so little.

(iv) The Ill /Disabled

As table 3 showed the ill and people with disabilities are the group with the highest risk of poverty with 54 per cent of this group living in poverty. Over time the situation of this group has visibly deteriorated with previous poverty studies by the ESRI showing that this group's risk of poverty has increased rapidly over the last decade, climbing from 29.5 per cent in 1994 (Whelan et al, 2003:24). This dramatic increase in the risk of poverty is an issue of concern. It implies that in 1994 approximately three out of every ten persons who are ill or people with a disability were in poverty and that by 2003 this had increased to over five out of every ten. Consequently, although the ill and people with a disability only account for a small proportion of those in poverty, among themselves their experience of poverty is worryingly high. CORI Justice Commission believes there is a clear need to initiate targeted policies to assist this group. These include job creation, retraining (see section on work) and increases in social welfare supports. There is also a very strong case to be made for introducing a non-means tested cost of disability allowance.

(v) The working poor

The growth in jobs over recent years has been dramatic and many have benefited from the rapid rise in the number of jobs available. However, it is important to realise that having a job is not, of itself, a guarantee that one lives in a poverty-free household. As table 3 indicates 9.2 per cent of those in employment are living at risk of poverty. Translating this into numbers of people suggests among the 1.74 million in employment in Ireland in 2003, almost 160,000 were living at risk of poverty. (2) This is a remarkable statistic. Action is urgently required to address this problem.

Poverty and Gender

Consistently, the results of income surveys indicate that among all adults, women in Ireland experience a greater risk of poverty than men. Table 8 presents the picture for 2003.

Across all adults, women are at a higher risk of poverty than men. The difference is particularly pronounced in the age group over 65. In that group, 40.7 per cent of women are at risk of experiencing poverty, compared to 30.6 per cent of men. The greater dependency of elderly women on social welfare payments and pensions, whose growth has lagged behind average income growth, is a central part of the reason behind this trend.

As noted earlier in table 3, the 2003 data record that 37 per cent of those working full time in the home were living in poverty. Since 1994 this figure has almost doubled, from 20.9 per cent (see Whelan et al, 2003:24). The 2003 EU-SILC results also indicate that 44.9 per cent of all single-adult households and 42.3 per cent of single-parent households were in poverty (CSO, 2005a:9). All these classifications are households primarily headed by women and help to further explain the growth and scale of female poverty risk.

Source: CSO (2005a:5), using national equivalence scale.

Poverty in Ireland: The European Context

In framing this report, it is important that we recognise Ireland’s experience of poverty in the context of the other 24 EU member states.

Sources: CSO, 2005a:5; CSO, 2005b:40, Eurostat, Statistics in Focus 12/2004: 3 and 16/2004: 10
Note: Greece, Italy, Belgium and Denmark data from 2001; Malta data from 2000.

Irish people experience the highest risk of poverty when compared to the other 24 member states of the EU. Table 9 uses data published by the CSO and Eurostat reporting the ‘at risk of poverty’ rates calculated using the 60 per cent of median income poverty line in each country. The risk of poverty which Irish people face is 3.3 per cent higher than that in the UK, 11 per cent higher than in Luxembourg, Hungary, Slovenia, Denmark and Malta. The lowest poverty risk levels are in the Czech Republic (8 per cent) and the second highest are in Slovakia. (3)

The average risk of poverty in the EU-25 is 14.6 per cent. Chart 1 develops the findings in table 9 further and calculates the difference between national poverty risk levels and the EU-25 average. It reflects the fact that Ireland’s poverty problem is large and exceptional by European standards. It also underscores the need for Ireland and the new National Plan to address this issue with greater vigour.

Chart 1: Percentage difference in National Poverty risk from EU-25 average

Source: Calculated from CSO, 2005a:5; CSO, 2005b:40, Eurostat, Statistics in Focus 12/2004: 3 and 16/2004: 10
Notes: EU-25 average poverty risk is 14.6 per cent
See data source notes attached to table 9 above

Key Policy Initiatives for the National Action Plan

In the context of the above, and with regard to the objectives identified in the consultation document, CORI Justice Commission believe that the following are key policy initiatives required in the new National Plan.

1. Achieving an Adequate Level of Social Welfare

In 2002, the NAPS review set the following as key targets:

To achieve a rate of €150 per week in 2002 terms for the lowest rates of social welfare to be met by 2007 and the appropriate equivalence level of basic child income support (i.e. child Benefit and Child Dependent Allowances combined) to be set at 33 per cent - 35 per cent of the minimum adult social welfare payment rate.

CORI Justice Commission welcomed this target. It is a major breakthrough in social, economic and philosophical terms. We also welcomed the reaffirmation of this target in Sustaining Progress. The target of €150 a week is equivalent to 30 per cent of Gross Average Industrial Earnings (GAIE) in 2002. This means that social welfare rates will be benchmarked to increases in average industrial wages from now on. If this commitment is delivered upon it will mean that the gap between the present level of the lowest social welfare payments and 30 per cent of GAIE will be bridged during the next National Plan.

CORI Justice Commission has calculated the projected growth in €150 between 2002 and 2007 when it is indexed to the estimated growth in GAIE. Table 10 presents the expected growth rates and calculates that the lowest social welfare rates for single people should reach €185.80 by 2007.

Source: GAIE growth rates from CSO Industrial Earnings and Hours Worked (September 2004:2) and ESRI Medium Term Review (Bergin et al, 2003:49).

Following Budget 2005 the current minimum level of social welfare is €148.80 a week. Consequently, the gap to be bridged in the next two budgets (2006 & 2007) is €37. To fulfil the NAPS commitment the average increase in the minimum level of unemployment assistance across the next two budgets must be €18.50 a year. Table 11 proposes the updated scale of increase for social welfare for 2005 to 2007.

CORI Justice Commission has strongly urged government to honour its commitment in this area and to provide these increases in the years ahead. The earlier poverty figures underscore the inadequacy of social welfare payments throughout the last few years and make clear the need for increasing social welfare payments to an adequate level.

An important element of the NAPS commitment to increasing social welfare rates is the acknowledgement that the years from 2002-2007 marks a period of ‘catch-up’ for those in receipt of welfare payments. Once the existing gap has been bridged the increases necessary to keep social welfare payments at a level equivalent to 30 per cent of GAIE become much smaller. To make this point, CORI Justice Commission has calculated the increases necessary from Budget 2008 (delivered in December 2007) onwards to 2010 needed to maintain the link with 30 per cent of GAIE. Table 12 shows that the increases over these periods only need to correspond to the growth of GAIE in that year. Using projections from the ESRI these suggest an average increase of approximately €10 a year from 2008.

2. Recognising All Work

A major question being raised by the current labour-market situation concerns assumptions underpinning culture and policy making in this area. One such assumption concerns the priority given to paid employment over other forms of work. Most people recognise that a person can work very hard even though he or she does not have a conventional job. Much of the work done in the community and in the voluntary sector fits under this heading. So too does much of the work done in the home.

The need to recognise voluntary work has been acknowledged in the government’s White Paper, Supporting Voluntary Activity and by the Taoiseach who has stated that: “voluntary activity forms the very core of all vibrant and inclusive societies”. A recent report presented to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs provided one small insight into this issue. It establishing that the cost to the state of replacing the 475,000 volunteers working for charitable organisations would be a minimum of €205m and could cost up to €485m per year.

The report of the National Committee on Volunteering entitled Tipping the Balance (October 2002) stands as a welcome acknowledgement of this role. The report was prepared to mark the UN International Year of the Volunteer 2001 by representatives of numerous voluntary organisations in Ireland, including CORI’s Justice Commission. The report suggested a series of recommendations to assist in the future development and recognition of voluntary activity throughout Ireland. In the light of the commitment to ‘promote social capital’ in the Programme for Government (2002). CORI Justice Commission is hopeful that the recommendations of this report will be implemented by government. In addressing issues of participation in employment, the new National Plan should incorporate these proposals and in doing so recognise the many different form that ‘work’ takes.

3. Addressing Long-term Unemployment and Youth Unemployment

While the employment situation in Ireland has dramatically improved over the last number of years, the issues of long-term unemployment and youth unemployment remain a concern.

Of the 85,600 people unemployed in November 2004, 56,700 were unemployed for less than one year, while 28,900 were long-term unemployed. This figure marked a substantial increase of over 4,000 individuals in long-term unemployment since 2002. However, the 2004 long-term unemployment rate of 1.5 per cent is considerably smaller than the 10.4 per cent recorded in 1988 and marks a major decrease in the level of structural unemployment. It also illustrates the extent to which Irish unemployment levels are now dominated by frictional factors. However, the return of cyclical unemployment in late 2001, and throughout both 2002 and 2003, underscores the necessity to maintain a focus on ensuring that the long-term unemployment problem is not allowed to return.

The new National plan should therefore address this issue. This is particularly important given that the NAPS Review (2002) set down as a key target: “to eliminate long-term unemployment as soon as circumstances permit but in any event not later than 2007”. Consequently it is of concern that the numbers classified as long-term unemployed increased so significantly in the last two years. To date, little progress has been made towards achieving this target.

An examination of the age structure of the unemployed indicates a growing problem of youth unemployment. As table 13 shows, this is particularly of concern among those aged 15-19. During 2004 their unemployment rates have increased from 12.2 per cent to 13.4 per cent. For those aged 20-24 their unemployment rate has remained very high at 7.1 per cent in 2004. In the context of an overall unemployment rate of 4.3 per cent these figures are of concern. Furthermore, the rate of increase in unemployment among this group remains a major issue. Given the projections for further increases in unemployment in the years ahead, the fate of any low-skilled individuals who have become unemployed is a concern. Depending on the extent of the economic slowdown, the potential for these individuals to become long-term unemployed must be monitored.

Source: CSO, QNHS March 2005:16

Another factor relevant to any assessment of youth unemployment is its association with other societal problems and in particular suicide. The results of an eight-year study of suicides in County Kildare (1995-2002) was recently published in the Journal of Clinical Forensic Medicine by McGovern and Cusack (2004). One of their key findings was that unemployed males under the age of 30 were the most likely group to commit suicide.

4. Increasing the Supply of Social Housing

During the last decade improved levels of economic growth combined with low interest rates resulted in high levels of housing inflation. This in turn resulted in a crisis in housing provision in both the public and the private sectors. In the private sector this crisis is evident from the rapid increase in house prices and from the severe difficulties experienced by first-time buyers seeking affordable houses. In the public sector the demand (waiting lists) for public housing has increased substantially in the past five years at a time when house building in the public sector has been at a very low level.

At the end of 2004 the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) published a major report on housing. In particular, the report makes important suggestions for policy initiatives focused on social housing (see table 14). Overall, NESC concluded that it was particularly concerned about two issues. These are:

• the quality of the neighbourhoods, villages, towns and cities being constructed in Ireland, and
• the provision of social and affordable housing

They also stressed that adequately addressing these two issues will not be easy and that “the magnitude and significance of this challenge needs to be recognised”.

A central conclusion of the NESC housing report is that the supply of social housing will have to rise dramatically if the needs of Irish society are to be addressed in the years ahead. The main recommendation of the Council on the issue of social housing is outlined in table 14 and saw it call on Government to “create an expanded and more flexible stock of social housing - adding in the order of 73,000 permanent social housing units to bring the stock to 200,000 dwellings by 2012 - in a manner that is consistent with other public investment needs and sound public finances” (2004:221).

The figure of 200,000 social housing units has been calculated based on the projected increases in the Irish population over that period and in the context of limited responses to existing social housing needs (e.g. homelessness, community based accommodation for people with a disability and elderly persons). The scale of the challenge facing Irish society can be gauged from the fact that at the end of 2004 the total stock of social housing (including units managed by both local authorities and the voluntary and cooperative housing sector) stood at about 127,000.

NESC concluded that to achieve the target of 200,000 units over the eight year period between 2005 and 2012, an annual increase of in excess of 9,000 units is necessary. They also pointed out that an estimated capital investment of €1.4bn a year would be required to achieve a net increase of 73,000 units by 2012. Given the present level of capital expenditure this would mean an additional investment per annum of the scale of €500m to €600m on what is already projected.

CORI Justice Commission believes that reaching the NESC target for social housing in 2012 is essential if Ireland is to achieve the goal of ensuring that everyone in the country has appropriate accommodation. The new National Plan should endorse this NESC target.

5. Adopting a Rights-Based Approach

CORI Justice Commission believes strongly in the importance of developing a rights-based approach to social, economic and cultural issues. The need to develop these rights is becoming ever more urgent for Ireland and the EU.

Social, economic and cultural rights should be acknowledged and recognised just as the civil and political rights have been. Among others, we believe that seven basic rights that are of fundamental concern to people who are socially excluded and/or living in poverty should be acknowledged and recognised. These are the rights to: sufficient income to live life with dignity; meaningful work; appropriate accommodation; relevant education; essential healthcare; cultural respect; and real participation. Until these rights are effectively recognised then Ireland and the EU will continue to have a major credibility problem, as they will be failing to match their commitment to civil and political rights with an equal commitment to social, economic and cultural rights.

To ensure that the recognition of social, economic and cultural rights goes beyond words, however, it is essential to address the question: how can such rights be made justiciable (capable of being vindicated in law)? In particular, how can this be done in a way that respects the political process and does not destroy the balance of power between the judicial and the governmental dimensions of society while also respecting the social, economic and cultural rights of people?

CORI Justice Commission suggests the following as a viable way forward that would respect concerns expressed particularly by politicians while also respecting the need for people's rights to be justiciable. Our proposal has a number of components.

First, these social, economic and cultural rights should be recognised in the Irish Constitution. Following on this recognition there would be a requirement to have legislation ensuring these rights could be vindicated. We suggest the following might achieve this without producing a non-viable situation that would see every individual pursuing, for example, access to appropriate accommodation, all the way up to the Supreme Court.

Second, there would be a legal requirement on each incoming Government to set out concrete targets on each of the range of social, economic and cultural rights recognised in the Constitution. The specific list of rights would already be set out in legislation and should cover the listing outlined above or some similar range of rights.

Finally, the targets set out in such legislation would have to be for specific periods of time e.g. two and four years (these particular time-frames would also be set out in the legislation). Failure to achieve these targets would be justiciable on a class-action or similar basis but not on the basis of every individual bringing their particular case to court.

We believe a mechanism along these lines should be developed and put in place in all EU states. It would mean that social, economic and cultural rights were placed on the same level as civil and political rights. It would also mean that the EU’s over-concentration on the economic dimension would be re-balanced in part at least by a growing recognition of the importance of the social dimension to citizens in all EU member states. (4)

References

Bergin, A., J. Cullen, D. Duffy, J. Fitzgerald, I. Kearney and D. McCoy (2003), Medium-Term Review: 2003-2010, Dublin, ESRI.

Central Statistics Office (2003), Census 2002: Principal Socio-economic Results, Dublin, Stationery Office.

Central Statistics Office (2004), Population and Labour Force Projections 2006-2036, Dublin, Stationery Office.

Central Statistics Office (2005a), EU Survey on Income and Living Conditions, Dublin, Stationery Office.

Central Statistics Office (2005b), Measuring Ireland’s Progress 2004, Dublin, Stationery Office.

Central Statistics Office (various), Industrial Earnings and Hours Worked, Dublin, Stationery Office.

Central Statistics Office (various), Quarterly National Household Survey, Dublin.

CORI Justice Commission (2005). Pathways to Inclusion: policies to ensure economic development, social equity and sustainability. Dublin, CORI Justice Commission.

Department of Finance (2004), Budget 2005, Dublin, Stationery Office.

Department of the Taoiseach (2003) Sustaining Progress - Social Partnership Agreement 2003-2005, Dublin, Stationery Office.

Eurostat (various editions), Statistics in Focus, Luxembourg.

Fianna Fáil and Progressive Democrats (2002), Programme for Government, Dublin.

Healy, S. and B. Reynolds (2003), “Ireland and the Future of Europe – a social perspective” in in Reynolds B. and S. Healy (eds.) Ireland and the Future of Europe: leading the way towards inclusion?, Dublin, CORI.

McGovern, C. and D.A. Cusack (2004) “A Study of Suicides in Kildare, 1995-2002”, Journal of Clinical Forensic Medicine, Vol.11 issue 6 p289-298.

National Anti-Poverty Strategy Review (2002), Building an Inclusive Society Dublin, Stationery Office.

National Committee on Volunteering (2002), Tipping the Balance, Dublin, Stationery Office.

National Economic and Social Council (2004), Housing in Ireland: performance and policy, Dublin, NESC.

Whelan, C.T., R. Layte, B. Maitre, B. Gannon, B. Nolan, W. Watson, J. Williams (2003) Monitoring Poverty Trends in Ireland: Results from the 2001 Living in Ireland Survey. ESRI Dublin, Policy Research Series No. 51, December.

Notes:

1: This figure is calculated from a combination of data from the CSO (2003:48) and results from Census 2002 (2003, volume 2: 27).

2: Figures calculated using the risk of poverty figures in table 3.4 and results from the Quarterly National Household Survey (CSO, December 2004: 20).

3: Data are comparable across all countries and calculated in accordance with the methodology outlined in the Laeken indicators.

4: For a further discussion of this issue see Healy and Reynolds (2003).

Questions on EU Commission's Communication on Lisbon Startegy

ICTU General Secretary raises major questions concerning EU Commission's Communication on Lisbon Strategy, 7th February

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Council meeting on the Lisbon Strategy February 2005

EU Commission's Communication to the Spring Council meeting on the Lisbon Strategy - February 2, 2005.

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Mid-Term Review of the Lisbon Agenda November 2004

Report of High Level Group, chaired by Wim Kok, on the Mid-Term Review of the Lisbon Agenda - published November 2004

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Mid-Term Review of the Lisbon Agenda

Irish Government's Submission to the EU Commission on the Mid-Term Review of the Lisbon Agenda - November 2004.

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The Social Agenda and the Next EU Treaty

2003 May 1st: CORI Justice Commission asks the Convention on the Future of Europe to make the elimination of poverty an objective of the EU.

The Social Agenda and the Next EU Treaty

Input to National Forum on Europe debate by Fr Sean Healy, s.m.a. CORI Justice Commission

1. If the European Union's social agenda is to be credible there are two key issues that should be included in any new EU Treaty. These are:

• The elimination of poverty should be made an objective of the Union.
• Social, economic and cultural rights should be made justiciable.

In this presentation I will address the 'why' and the 'how' of these two issues.

2. Since its inception the European project has focused principally on the economic dimension and given far less consideration and prominence to the Union's social aspects than was required.

3. It is important to acknowledge that there has been much progress on a range of social issues within the EU context.

4. However, the social dimension is very much the Cinderella component of the EU's activity. To see how true this is, all one has to do is contrast the vast array of directives etc. on economic issues with the dearth of such directives etc. on social issues. There are, for example, directives on issues as detailed as the presentation of duck eggs while there is nothing comparable concerning, for example, the need to ensure that every man, woman and child has sufficient income to live life with dignity.

5. This imbalance MUST be rectified if the EU is to maintain/regain/improve its credibility among the peoples of Europe who see the Union as ignoring many of the issues that are of major concern to them while paying detailed attention to economic development and the interests of business.

6. I welcome the publication of the report on Social Europe from Working Group XI of the Convention. While there are aspects of the report with which I disagree, it is refreshing to see that a revolt of the excluded (both inside and outside the Convention) led to the establishment of this Working Group and to the publication of this report.

7. The conclusions of the working group that the Union's objectives should be expanded to include issues such as social justice, sustainable development, social inclusion and so on, is most welcome. However, the elimination of poverty should also be included as an objective of the Union. Otherwise the EU will have very little credibility in its claims to represent and articulate the interests and concerns of its citizens.

8. A major issue for any new EU treaty is the issue of social, economic and cultural rights and their justiciability.

9. The inclusion of the Charter of Fundamental Rights in the Convention's draft text is very welcome. I welcome the Taoiseach's statement in a letter to the CORI Justice Commission that he would favour incorporation of the Charter into the Treaty.

10. It should be noted that the Charter is a flawed document that does not pay sufficient attention to the most fundamental cause of people's poverty i.e. their lack of sufficient income to live life with dignity. I believe that the EU needs to recognise, among others, seven basic rights that are of fundamental concern to people who are socially excluded and/or living in poverty. These are the rights to:

10.1. Sufficient income to live life with dignity.
10.2. Meaningful work.
10.3. Appropriate accommodation.
10.4. Relevant education.
10.5. Essential healthcare.
10.6. Cultural respect
10.7. Real participation.

Until these rights are incorporated into EU treaties the Union will continue to have a major credibility problem with a large proportion of its citizens.

11. The issue of justiciability of social, economic and cultural rights has been a major sticking point in progressing their recognition. The reasons for this resistance can be put under three main headings i.e.

• these rights are not to be seen in the same context as civil and political rights which are justiciable.
• there should not be a situation where a person can appeal to the Supreme Court, for example, if they do not have appropriate accommodation; and
• these issues should be addressed in the political and not the judicial arena.

I believe each of these objections can be overcome.

12. The issue of whether or not social, economic and cultural rights are on an equal footing with civil and political rights is an issue on which much has been written. There is not sufficient time to discuss the issue here today but I believe the question is a crucial one. Social, economic and cultural rights are human rights in the same way that civil and political rights are and they should be capable of being vindicated when they are not honoured by the Government of the day. I disagree with the Minister for Justice, Mr Michael McDowell, T.D., on this issue. I believe his articulated position is flawed and should not be acceptable as Government policy in any forward-looking democracy in the twenty-first century. I would be glad to engage in a discussion on that issue at an appropriate time.

13. Of greater urgency to today's agenda is to address the question: how can social, economic and cultural rights be made justiciable in a way that respects the political process and does not destroy the balance of power between the judicial and the governmental dimensions of society?

I suggest the following as a viable way forward that would respect concerns expressed particularly by politicians while also respecting people's rights. My proposal has a number of components.

• There would be a legal requirement on each incoming Government to set out concrete targets on each of a range of social, economic and cultural rights. The specific rights would be already set out in legislation and should cover the listing outlined above or some similar range of rights.
• The targets should be for specific periods of time e.g. two and four years (these would also be set out in the legislation).
• Failure to achieve these targets would be justiciable.

Let me outline an example. The present Government has already set a target (in the National Anti-Poverty Strategy) for the lowest social welfare payment for a single person to reach 30 per cent of gross average industrial earnings by 2007. To achieve this it has also agreed in the new national agreement, Sustaining Progress, to take the necessary steps during the coming three years to ensure this target is met by 2007. Consequently, if the Government is serious about the commitments it has already made it could set a two and four-year target for income adequacy that would satisfy my proposal as outlined already.

This proposal respects the political process and ensures it maintains it's primary role. However, it also ensures that a person's rights are respected if, for example, a Government decides deliberately to ignore them. It would have the additional benefit that General Elections would be fought in part at least on the basis of real proposals and commitments in areas that were of real concern to people. It would also ensure that politicians were more easily held accountable for the commitments they made.

Other issues arising from Working Group XI's report on Social Europe

I list these in a summary way, as I do not have time to address them in any detail.

14. On the Open Method of Co-ordination: Its inclusion in the Treaties would be a positive step towards improving the transparency and democratic character of the method. However, it should specify the need to involve civil society in its processes.

15. On the relationship between the co-ordination of economic and social policy: I strongly support the EAPN in its claim that the inclusion of all aspects of social policy to which the OMC is applied, alongside the Employment Guidelines and the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines, in the preparation for the Spring European Council, is vital, if we are to achieve a balanced European project.

16. On the issue of who/what constitutes a social partner: The role of employees' and employers' federations is stressed in the report and I welcome this. I also support the report's proposals that their role should be recognised, facilitated and enhanced in the Treaties. At the same time the report states that the role of civil society organisations should also be recognised in the Treaties and this would be a very welcome development. However, there are two issues of concern I wish to highlight:

• While recognising the specific contribution made by employees' and employers' organisations I do not accept that they should be the only recognised social partners. I acknowledge that there is a range of issues that are specific to their concerns and in which they are the appropriate bodies to be involved and recognised. However, I also believe there is a range of issues on which they are currently involved and consulted but which should also involve organised civil society. The Irish social partnership process provides a model for how this could be organised at a European level and I would strongly urge that this approach be followed.
• Not all social partners (in the Irish understanding) are provided with the resources (either from the EU or national level) to organise themselves on a trans-European basis even though they do have counterpart organisations in a range of EU member countries. To ensure fairness and to strengthen participation across the board there should be an acceptance of the need to recognise civil society organisations at both a national and EU level.

17. The recommendations contained in the working group report should be included in Part Two of the Constitutional Treaty so as to protect and give concrete expression to the values that will underpin the European Social Model.

18. I support the Working Group's recommendation that there should be a reference to social justice in the list of basic values in the European Union.

19. There should be a reference to equal treatment for all persons protected by the current Treaty Article 13.

20. An example of the failure to balance the economic and the social dimensions of the Union is clearly seen in the competencies currently conferred on the Union/Community in respect of social matters. These are listed in paragraphs 24 and 25 of the Working Group. Eleven areas are identified. Nine of these have to do with the situation of 'workers' meaning people in paid employment. The remaining two concern 'combating of social exclusion' and the 'modernisation of social protection systems'. At present, minimum requirements may be adopted only in the cases of the first nine, by means of a Directive. Yet we are urged to believe that social exclusion and related matters are of major concern to the Union. Clearly, the issues of people in paid employment are of major concern. But they should not be the only social issues addressed at this level of importance.

21. I strongly believe that the European Union will have serious credibility and legitimacy problems until it addresses the issue of Social Europe in a much more positive and comprehensive manner. I trust that any new Treaty or Constitution will give equal priority to the social and the economic dimensions of the Union.

CORI Justice urges European Commission to recognise the complementarity of economic and social policy

CORI Justice welcomes the reconfirmation by the European Council of the importance of the social dimension of the EU as an integral part of the Lisbon Strategy. We also welcome the emphasis given by the Council to the need to integrate economic, employment and social policies. However, we have heard these commitments before and in the recent past in particular there has been a failure by the European Commission to give sufficient expression in its programmes to similar commitments from the European Council.
We trust that on this occasion the Council’s decision will be followed by appropriate action by the Commission to ensure the social dimension of European policy is given equal priority with its economic dimension.

Ireland’s national agreement between Government and Social Partners, Towards 2016, emphasises the complementarity of economic and social policy. Good economic development is essential to ensure adequate resources exist to fund social development. At the same time, good social development is required if the economy is to thrive.

CORI Justice also notes the Council’s statement that: “The European Council looks forward to the Commission's proposal for a renewed Social Agenda which should play a key role in strengthening the social dimension of the Lisbon Strategy by taking account of Europe's new social and labour realities and also covering issues such as youth, education, migration and demography as well as intercultural dialogue. In this context combating poverty and social exclusion, promoting active inclusion and increasing employment opportunities for those furthest from the labour market are all of major importance. To this end all the appropriate instruments and tools available at Community level should be used.” (paragraph 14 of the EU Council’s final statement).

If these words are to be credible then CORI Justice believes it is crucial that:

• Concrete initiatives are put in place at both EU and national levels immediately to strengthen substantially the social dimension of the Lisbon Strategy.
• Significant action is taken to reduce dramatically the number of people at risk of poverty in the EU from its current level of 78 million.
• The value of all work done by people is fully recognised – not just paid employment but also work done in the home, in the community and beyond which is not currently recognised as being of value but which is essential for families, communities and society to function.
• Significant action is taken to tackle the issue of the ‘working poor’ given that 18.9 million people in the EU who have a job are also at risk of poverty.

Given Ireland’s target on adult literacy (which would leave between half and three quarters of a million people in the labour force having serious literacy difficulties in 2016) the European Council made some very significant calls to Member States to take concrete action to:

• “Substantially reduce the number of young people who cannot read properly and the number of early school leavers, and improve the achievement levels of learners with a migrant background or from disadvantaged groups;
• Attract more adults, particularly low-skilled and older workers into education and training and further facilitate geographic and occupational mobility;
• Improve policy consistency and coordination of economic, employment and social policies in order to enhance social cohesion.” (paragraph 15 of final statement).

CORI Justice calls on the Irish Government to act immediately to give far greater priority to reducing the level of serious literacy difficulties among Ireland’s working age population.

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Final draft of the new EU Treaty 18 July 2003

2003, July 18th: Final draft of the new EU Treaty presented to the Italian Presidency of the EU by the Convention on the Future of Europe.

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Private Property 9 June 2003

2003 June 9: CORI Justice Commission publishes its submission on private property. This submission has been sent to the All-Party Committee on the Constitution.

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Draft EU Constitution 28 May 2003

The Draft EU Constitution second draft - a reader friendly edition with highlighted words and comments in the margins - May 28, 2003.

[This does not contain Part III of the draft constitution which will be uploaded to this site as soon as it is available.]

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Draft EU Constitution 15 May 2003

The Draft EU Constitution - a reader friendly edition with highlighted words and comments in the margins - May 15, 2003.

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European Convention on the Future of Europe

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Convention on the Future of Europe Preliminary Draft Constitutional Treaty

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